Harvest in the Lowland Fields in Mid-August
丙辰岁八月中于田舍获
In poverty 1 live and till the land
Working hard with Donglin close at hand.
At sowing in the spring I take great pains,
In constant fear that harvest gives no gains.
贫居依稼穑，戮力东林隈。
不言春作苦，常恐负所怀。
The land official cares about the yields,
And sends me words to ask about the fields.
Vm often starved and wish the crops to grow,
So I sit and wait for cocks to crow.
司田眷有秋，寄声与我谐。
饥者欢初饱，束带候鸣鸡。
Upon the tranquil lake I set my sail，
Winding through the river in the vale.
Around the savage hills in verdant drapes,
Are ringing melancholy wails of apes.
扬楫越平湖，汎随清壑回。
郁郁荒山里，猿声闲且哀。
The autumn winds bemoan the quiet night
While birds in forests sing when dawn is bright.
Since I returned and worked with plough and hoe,
Twelve harvests have been gathered in a row.
悲风爱静夜，林鸟喜晨开。
曰余作此来，三四星火颓。
Although Fve passed my prime and grown old now,
I have worked hard and never changed my vow.
With thanks to hermits in the good old days,
I’m here and go along the path they blaze.
姿年逝已老，其事未云乖。
遥谢荷蓧翁，聊得从君栖。